Fungal Biofilms in the Clinical Lab Setting

Device-related infections are often associated with biofilms (microbial communities encased within polysaccharide-rich extracellular matrix) formed by pathogens on surfaces of these devices. Candida species are the most common fungi isolated from infections associated with catheters and dentures, and both Candida and Fusarium are commonly isolated from contact lens–related infections such as fungal keratitis. These biofilms exhibit decreased susceptibility to most antimicrobial agents, which contributes to the persistence of infection. Drug resistance in fungal biofilms is multifactorial and phase-dependent; for example, efflux pumps mediate resistance in biofilms during early phase, whereas altered membrane sterol composition contributes to resistance in mature phase. Both substrate type and surface coatings play an important role in the pathogenesis of device-related fungal biofilms. Host immune cells influence the ability of Candida to form biofilms in vitro. This review summarizes recent advances in research on fungal biofilms and discusses their clinical relevance.     

Next-Generation Sequencing in the Mycology Lab

New state-of-the-art techniques in sequencing offer valuable tools in both detection of mycobiota and in understanding of the molecular mechanisms of resistance against antifungal compounds and virulence. Introduction of new sequencing platform with enhanced capacity and a reduction in costs for sequence analysis provides a potential powerful tool in mycological diagnosis and research. In this review, we summarize the applications of next-generation sequencing techniques in mycology.     

Fungi Isolated from Flue-Cured Tobacco Inoculated in the Field with Storage Fungi

Flue-cured tobacco inoculated in the field with A. amstelodami, A. flavus, A. ochraceus, A. repens, A. ruber, and a species of Penicillium was rarely invaded by these fungi. Regardless of inoculum, the predominant fungi reisolated from green tissue were species of Alternaria and Cladosporium. After curing, A. repens, A. niger, and species of Alternaria and a species of Penicillium were the most commonly isolated fungi. The fungus used as inoculum was not the predominant fungus reisolated from green or cured tissue. Conditions during handling and storage prior to marketing probably determine when storage fungi become associated with the leaf and which species becomes predominant.     

Rare Arthroconidial Fungi in Clinical Samples: Scytalidium cuboideum and Arthropsis hispanica

We report the presence of the two arthroconidial anamorphic fungi, Scytalidium cuboideum and Arthropsis hispanica, in clinical samples from the USA. Both fungi were morphologically and molecularly identified. The antifungal susceptibility of four isolates of A. hispanica and five of S. cuboideum to eight antifungal drugs is provided.     

Fungi in Antarctica

Fungi are generally easily dispersed and are able to colonize a very wide variety of different substrata and to withstand many different environmental conditions. Because of these characteristics they spread all over the world. The Antarctic mycoflora is quite diversified within the different climatic regions of the continent. Most Antarctic microfungi are cosmopolitan; some of them are propagules transported to Antarctica but unable to grow under the Antarctic conditions, while others, termed indigenous, are well adapted and able to grow and reproduce even at low temperatures, mostly as psychrotolerant, or fast sporulating forms, able to conclude their life-cycles in very short time. In the most extreme and isolated areas of the continent, such as the Antarctic Dry Valleys, endemic species showing physiological and morphological adaptations have locally evolved. Most Antarctic fungi, as well as fungi from other dry and cold habitats, are adapted to low temperatures, repeated freeze and thawing cycles, low water availability, osmotic stress, desiccation, low nutrients availability and high UV radiation. Sometimes single strategies are not specific for single stress factors and allow these microorganisms to cope with more than one unfavourable condition.     

真菌中的对联三苯类化合物

本文结合研究工作,综述了国内外有关真菌中对联三苯类化合物化学结构和生物活性的研究情况和最新进展,为进一步开发利用真菌资源和寻找新药提供参考。     

126例面癣临床因素及病原菌分析

目的探讨面癣的致病菌种、临床特点及发病相关因素。方法对126例面癣患者进行真菌分离培养鉴定及流行病学分析。结果面癣见于各年龄段,以11～30岁最多见。患病动物接触史、合并其他部位浅部真菌病史及糖皮质类固醇激素类药物外用史是面癣发病的重要危险因素。分离出皮肤癣菌108株,包括红色毛癣菌63株（58．3％）、犬小孢子菌25株（23．1％）、须癣毛癣菌18株（16．7％）和石膏样小孢子菌2株（1．9％）。结论面癣的发病没有年龄差异,患者可见于各个年龄阶段;面癣的常见致病真菌绝大多数为红色毛癣菌和犬小孢子菌,其发病可能与患者自体接种或接触患病动物相关。面癣容易被误诊,及时进行真菌镜检和培养是降低面癣误诊率的关键。     

Contractile protein biochemistry in the Pollard Lab in Baltimore

We describe our search for the molecular mechanisms of cell motility with personal recollections of bucket biochemistry in Tom Pollards Lab at the Johns Hopkins, circa 1980.